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ICAR-CIFRI Safeguards Indigenous Himalayan Fish, Promotes Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation in Himachal Pradesh

2 ^nd October 2026
Lahaul & Spiti
The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore organised an awareness Programme on Indigenous Fish Culture Towards Livelihood Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation on 2^nd october at Udaipur, Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The programme was organised along the River Chandrabhaga with the objective of creating awareness among local communities about the conservation of indigenous fish resources and the potential of sustainable fisheries for livelihood enhancement. Udaipur, situated along the River Chandrabhaga, represents a unique Himalayan landscape where aquatic biodiversity, fragile river ecosystems and the livelihood aspirations of local communities are closely interconnected. The programme provided a platform to sensitise local stakeholders on the importance of conserving indigenous fish fauna while promoting scientifically managed fisheries and aquaculture practices. During the programme, Dr. A. K. Sahoo, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the ecological and livelihood significance of indigenous fish fauna in the River Chandrabhaga and stressed their conservation and sustainable management amid hydropower development and climate change in the Himalayan region. He also emphasised breeding, hatchery and scientific culture technologies for indigenous trout, along with river ranching in fishery-depleted stretches, as promising interventions for fish population restoration and sustainable livelihood enhancement.

The participants were also informed about opportunities available under major Government of India initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). Dr. Roshith C. M, Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, sensitised the participants on the importance of identification and conservation of essential fish habitats. He also explained the ecological impacts of destructive fishing practices and stressed the need for responsible and sustainable utilisation of riverine fishery resources. Reflecting on the initiative, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, stated, “Himalayan rivers are invaluable repositories of indigenous aquatic biodiversity and hold immense potential for sustainable livelihoods and resilient rural economies. Conservation of native fish resources must go hand in hand with livelihood enhancement, ecological restoration and community participation. Through science-based fish culture, habitat conservation, river ranching and convergence with Government initiatives under the Blue Revolution, ICAR-CIFRI is committed to taking cutting-edge fisheries technologies and knowledge to the remotest communities. Such efforts will contribute to building climate-resilient and sustainable aquatic livelihoods, strengthening the blue economy and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, where healthy rivers, thriving aquatic biodiversity and prosperous fishing communities become integral to an inclusive and sustainable development pathway.”

The programme marked an important outreach initiative of ICAR-CIFRI in the Himalayan region, bringing together scientific knowledge on indigenous fish conservation, sustainable aquaculture and livelihood enhancement. The initiative reinforces ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to promoting biodiversity conservation alongside sustainable and inclusive fisheries development.
The programme was coordinated by the ICAR-CIFRI team comprising Dr. A. K. Sahoo, Principal Scientist; Dr. Roshith C. M, Scientist; and Shri Kausik Mondal, Senior Technical Assistant, under the leadership of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI.